Study Shows Middle Class Eats More Fast Food

A study recently released by the University of California, Davis, reveals that low-income families don't eat the most fast food; the middle class does. This finding challenges the notion that fast food is to blame for the rise in obesity among the poorest American communities.

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"Fast-food dining is most popular among the middle class, who are less likely to be obese," explains co-author J. Paul Leigh, professor of public health sciences at University of California, Davis. The fast-food industry is adept at attracting families with more income and little time. According to Leigh, "Low prices, convenience, and free toys target the middle class — especially budget-conscious, hurried parents — very well."

The study, however, did not look at all of the food options available in the neighborhoods of those surveyed. In an interview in the Sacremento Bee, Micah Weinberg, a senior policy adviser at the Bay Area Council argued that access to more options and proximity to fast-food restaurants must come into play. He asked, "Is your neighborhood full of 7-Elevens or is it full of Whole Foods?" Although the researchers of the study used data that was collected in the mid 90s, they believe the same diner behavior patterns exist today.